Harrisonburg, VA - The University of Hartford men's soccer team continued its unbeaten season with a 2-1 overtime victory over the James Madison Dukes on Friday night. The Hawks game-winning goal came from senior Daniel Antunez with 1:36 to play in the first overtime, lifting Hartford to a 3-0-1 overall record. James Madison drops to 1-3-1 overall.
“One thing that helped lead us to victory tonight was a strong will, heart and desire to win which has been lacing in previous seasons since we arrived at Hartford,” said head coach Dan Gaspar. “Now that we have those characteristics, hopefully we can carry that into conference play.”
Hartford used the exceptional play of two players, a senior and a freshman, to extend its unbeaten season. Keeper Matt Glaeser, a senior transfer from James Madison, played exceptionally well with a pair of quality saves against his former team. “Matt, being a senior captain, had a very good performance; he had two key saves and otherwise didn't put a foot wrong.” The second was freshman Sam Groves, who came off the bench to score the game-tying goal and then assist Antunez on the game-winning goal in overtime.
“For the first 60 minutes of play it was a very well played game on both sides of the pitch,” continued Gaspar. “Quality possession and long spans of possession were the tone in the first hour, but the quality deteriorated as the weather deteriorated (rain), and especially as the rain got harder in overtime.”
James Madison put the first mark on the scoreboard in the 38th minute when Frankie D;Agostino scored unassisted from six-yards out to the left corner of the net. Hartford tied the score in the 56th minute when Groves scored from three yards away. Groves' goal was set up by a cross from the right from junior Andreas Blamo.
Antunez's game-winning goal came in the 99th minute of play on a breakaway. Groves started the play with a pass, which Antunez sent into the empty net as Dukes freshman keeper Ken Manahan came out to play Antunez.
The Hawks will next play on Tuesday night when they host Fairfield at Al-Marzook Field at 6:00 p.m. Prior to the game the Hartwell Soccer Club of Glastonbury will participate in a clinic from current and former Hartford Hawks men's soccer players. The game will also be Hillyer College Night where the first 150 Hillyer College students will receive a free t-shirt and be entered into a halftime raffle.
